The Federal Trade Commission has accused Hims, the telehealth company known for selling hair loss and erectile dysfunction treatments, of sharing sensitive health information with advertising platforms including Meta and Snap. The agency says the company violated its own privacy promises to users.
The Allegations
According to the FTC complaint, Hims collected health-related data from users — including details about prescriptions, symptoms, and treatment plans — and then passed that information to Meta and Snap through tracking pixels and other ad tools. The company had publicly pledged to keep such data private.
The FTC alleges that Hims did not obtain users' consent before sharing the data, nor did it adequately disclose the practice in its privacy policy. The agency says the sharing occurred even after Hims told users it would not share their health information with third parties for advertising purposes.
What Was Shared
The complaint details that the shared data included information about specific health conditions users sought treatment for, as well as prescription details. The FTC says this allowed Meta and Snap to target ads to users based on their health status, a practice that could expose sensitive medical information.
Hims, which markets itself as a modern, discreet healthcare provider, had built its brand partly on promises of privacy. The company's website and marketing materials emphasized that user data would be protected.
What Happens Next
The FTC has proposed a settlement that would require Hims to overhaul its data privacy practices. The company would need to obtain explicit consent before sharing health information with third parties and implement a comprehensive privacy program. Hims has not yet responded publicly to the allegations.
The case is part of a broader FTC crackdown on health apps and telehealth companies that collect sensitive data. The agency has signaled it will continue to pursue companies that fail to live up to their privacy promises.
